Artwork
William Herbert, Third Earl of Pembroke
William Herbert, Third Earl of Pembroke is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Lucas Emil Vorsterman. It dates from 1635 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
This 1635 engraving presents William Herbert, the third Earl of Pembroke, rendered by the Dutch printmaker Lucas Emil Vorsterman. Executed in a single plate, the portrait captures the nobleman in a frontal pose against a somber backdrop, emphasizing his status through attire and compositional focus.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is shown with dark hair and a neatly trimmed beard, wearing a ruffled collar and a dark jacket patterned with elaborate decorative motifs. His direct gaze engages the viewer, a conventional device in early‑modern portraiture that conveys authority and personal presence.
Technique & Style
Vorsterman employs fine cross‑hatching to model the folds of the clothing and to suggest texture in the background, creating a subtle gradation of tone. The meticulous line work achieves a realistic rendering of facial features and fabric, characteristic of Dutch engraving practices of the period.
History & Provenance
Created in 1635, the print was likely produced for circulation among the English aristocracy, serving both as a visual record of the Earl and as a means of disseminating his likeness. The work remains attributed to Vorsterman, whose prints were widely collected in the 17th century.
Artist & collection
Artist
etching and engraving by Lucas Vorsterman II, NGA 10762), B1977.14.10539 - Yale etc
